Here we go into the last weekend of March with weather that to say the least – and I always try to say the least – is still unsettled. But never fear my fellow music aficionados, soon our dreams of beer gardens and wineries, fairs and festivals, backyards and block parties all full of live music galore shall be fulfilled. For now, let’s go find out what’s going on in the present state of affairs.
Last week we waltzed over Friday to go a-courting with Saturday so let’s flip the switch and take a good long look at the beginning of the weekend. It’s always fun to start with food and music matches and none fits better than the tasteful Tater Tots Rock (Kristi Lecoq and Micah Walk) playing at The Railyard for The Loaded Spud Fest potato-themed weekend.
Then how about the Firefighters Postal Lake Club’s Lenten Fish Fry night pairing the incomparable Larry Watson with friendly fried fish dinners.
Lime Street Cafe, a favorite dining and entertainment spot in Springfield for decades, serves up Angel Brown’s Smooth N’ Blue Duo featuring Rick Gasparin on guitar (they play Saturday as well) along with a full menu and a well-stocked bar.
Now add The Tangents going on upstairs at Harvest Market (Casey and Tiffany will be also be Tangent-ing at The Railyard’s Spud Fest on Saturday) and John Drake bringing it all back home at Boone’s to complete our musical menu.
No matter how you try there’s no avoiding Saturday in our music lineup with nearly 50 listings on call this week. Start off big time by joining in as Good News Entertainment celebrates five years of doing great things in the area music business by hosting the Good Times, Good Vibes Music Festival at Danenberger Family Vineyard near New Berlin. The show starts at 2 p.m. and goes all day and into the night featuring the sounds of David Lumsden Band, Soul Experience, James Armstrong, Paul Bill Jr., Mike Burnett & The Suns, Marquise Henderson and the Napier Brothers and Kapital Sound plus DJs RIQ aka YURI K & DJ PHELO. Part of the proceeds from the show will be donated in support of Ric “Skippy” Major to help the more-than-a-soundman soundman recover from the loss of gear in the Curve Inn fire. Skip has turned the knobs for so many musicians, bands, groups and who knows who else from the famous to the infamous, the unknowns and well-knowns in his decades of service to making the music sound good that it’s his turn to reap the benefits of friendship, love and respect. And I hear there’s a special tribute coming as well. Get out there and find out is the thing to do, I do believe.
While you’re heading in that direction stop by Trails End in Curran to say hey to our old friend Uncle Dolphin (4-7 p.m.) then look for the Sangamon County Fair Appreciation Party on the fairgrounds in New Berlin starting at 6 p.m. featuring the music of Neon Rodeo.
That brings us to Sunday with all kinds of doings, including the once-a-month showing of the Wolf Crick Boys at the Backroom Lounge in Riverton with Jobe Shores doing the middling and a Texas Toast band reunion in the evening at Mother Road Diner.
Finally, I’m proud to announce the commencement on Wednesday, April 1, of a weekly open mic upstairs at Harvest Market (6-9 p.m.) with yours truly hosting, joining the other illustrious open mics happening throughout the week.
That’ll do it for now. See you next in April for Easter weekend excitement.
This article appears in March 26 – April 1, 2026.
